Teammates are amazed at how well he's handled his father's situation. His dad remains in a coma at a Dallas hospital, making this a tough week because of where the Redskins are playing. Springs did not talk to the media today (except on a conference call with Dallas reporters), but teammates have marveled at how he's been. "It would be hard for me," end Phillip Daniels said. "He's handling himself so well he makes us forget about
what's going on just by the way he's handling it. He's laughing and joking around with the guys. We keep his dad in our prayers. It'll be tough for him, but if anyone can handle it he can."

Locker room topic No. 2: The Dallas offense.

It's, um, pretty darned good. Quarterback Tony Romo has plenty of weapons: Terrell Owens, Jason Witten, Patrick Crayton. And with Sean Taylor out and Fred Smoot ailing, it'll be tough to handle this offense. Especially if the D-line doesn't have a better showing. Another guy who will be tough to handle is running back Marion Barber. "He's one of the most underrated backs in the league," Smoot said.

Joe Gibbs says:

"What Marcus does is bring a lot of enthusiasm. He's a heck of an athlete. Besides just being a real good athlete, he brings a lot of excitement and helps the defense from the standpoint of making plays. … He elevates everyone around him."

Lloyd done

Receiver Brandon Lloyd fractured his right clavicle, which will likely end his season. Not to mention, perhaps, his Redskins career. Lloyd was hurt on the last play of practice making a diving catch in the end zone.

Lloyd had not yet been placed on injured reserve, though that's a likely occurrence considering the Redskins have only seven games left. They signed receiver Burl Toler to the practice squad. Washington cut Toler this summer, but liked his speed.

For Lloyd, it's the latest in a string of setbacks since coming to Washington in the 2006 offseason. He had only 23 catches last year and has two this season. It's expected that he'll be released in the offseason.